Now that I’ve got your attention … I’m talking about Tahiti Nui in Hanalei. This is one of the locations in The Descendants where George Clooney eats lunch (with Jeff Bridges I think). It’s a great movie, by the way, if you like Kauai. Lots of great scenes (though they show the very southern tip of Kauai and call it somewhere on the North Shore). You can see the scene in this post.
We first came here because of the movie, but we come back every time we come to Kauai for the food and atmosphere. They have the most amazing burger – the Nui Burger. You can find it on their All Day Menu. It’s $21 but well worth it. We share it, in fact. The beers are amazing and so cold.
There is a full bar and they offer pizza too. Seating inside, on their deck, or outside under an umbrella. Honestly, the inside isn’t that spectacular so I recommend sitting on the deck. You can see people walking by and have the beautiful mountains as a backdrop.
You can find Tahiti Nui on the right side of the highway about halfway through Hanalei. It’s before you get to the shopping center. Turn in just past the restaurant and park along the side or in the back.